This is one of the first and most useful phrases you'll learn. To get the waiter's attention, you can simply make eye contact and say, 'La cuenta, por favor.' It works everywhere!

Your Go-To Restaurant Phrase

Extremely common, especially in restaurants and cafes.

This meaning of 'cuenta' is your go-to for anything that requires a login or a financial record. Think of it as your personal space, whether at a bank or online.

Bank or Social Media

Very common in banking, finance, and the digital world.

Realize vs. Realizar

This phrase is incredibly common and means 'to realize'. Remember the little word 'de' that often comes after it. For example, 'Me di cuenta de que no tenía mis llaves.' (I realized that I didn't have my keys.)

The Super-Phrase: 'Darse Cuenta de'

Common, especially in important phrases and idioms.

The verb 'contar' changes its shape in certain situations. The 'o' in the stem becomes a 'ue' in many present tense forms (like 'yo cuento', 'tú cuentas', 'él cuenta'). Notice how it goes back to a normal 'o' for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'!

A Shape-Shifting Verb

Remember that 'contar' does double duty. It can mean counting numbers (uno, dos, tres...) or telling a story/fact ('contar un secreto'). The situation usually makes it obvious which meaning is intended.

Two Jobs: Counting and Telling

This is a form of 'contar', one of the most common verbs.

Learn the multiple meanings of 'cuenta' in Spanish: bill, check, account, and calculation. See full conjugations for the verb 'contar' and learn key idioms like 'darse cuenta'.

cuenta

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations